Unsung Hero of the Week

NOTRE DAME, Ind. –After each game, the FANSzine evaluates the Notre Dame players each week and honors those who do not always get the attention for a job well done in the Unsung Hero of the Week honors. Flanker/running back David Givens earns this week’s honors with his versatile performance against Stanford. Not only did Givens score two touchdowns off receptions, he also managed to break a few runs in the ground game.

Saturday’s game lent itself well to showcase the future of Notre Dame football.

While a freshman made his debut at quarterback, junior David Givens gave Irish fans a little something to be excited about.

He saw an opening in the Stanford offensive line, which allowed him the opportunity to give his team an added boost going into the locker room. Givens came untouched right up the middle and got a clean block off.

“We’ve watched film on that all week,” Givens said. “It was going to be either me or two other guys we had coming. It was all planned.”

While the punt block came from assistant coach Jerry Rosburg’s plan, Givens breakout performance of the year was not planned. The junior is currently listed as the backup flanker but he proved on Saturday that he should not just be limited to the role of receiver.

“There was an idea coming in that we would open up our offense a little more,” Givens said. “There was nothing necessarily planned for me, in terms of getting more touches.”

While it may not have been scripted, Givens did get more than his fair share of action. He had three receptions on the day for 34 yards, including two touchdowns.

“David Givens has been what David Givens has always been,” Davie said. “He has always been a solid, solid player.”

The versatile Givens did rack up 23 yards on five carries. While the numbers are not the most astounding, his performance is exactly what the Irish need.

In order for a team with a young quarterback to succeed, they must find various other threats. Givens proved on Saturday that there are more to the Irish than just Julius Jones.

Often times, the other backs get lost in the shadow of Jones. Davie used a variety of guys, which proved successful for the ground game. Givens and Co. racked up 166 yards on 50 attempts.

It is often the solid performances, like Givens’, which go unnoticed in games where the outcome is decided upon by the final series. The junior’s solid showing in the rushing and passing attack, along with his solid performance on special teams earn him this week’s Unsung Hero honors.